The fabulous Lorelei from Lorelei's Lit Lair has invited me to participate in Read-A-Romance Month. This year, the topic is The Joy of Romance.
As a romance writer, I get to experience the joy of romance
a lot! I write romance all day long. Although, it’s tempered with the joy of
research and the joy of editing. Also, the joy of promotional activities, which
I wouldn’t strictly put in the “joy” category, except the part where I get to
chat with readers. I’m not even going to go into the joy of paperwork (a lot of
which is required by the IRS for a self-employed person) but I’m sure you feel
in your heart that deep “joy” with me.
Frankly, I think I prefer the joy of romance reading to the
joy of romance writing. I looove just being a reader and kicking back with a
great book. Forget “Calgon, take me away.” For me, it’s Susan Mallery, Grace
Draven, Nora Roberts and other fabulous authors, who take me to pure joy. I try
to read at least a book a week, but when I’m on summer break, I read a book a
day. Hey, it’s research!
So why do romance novels bring joy to so many people?
(Romance is the most read genre.) I think it’s because falling in love is fun.
It’s so much fun, that even reading about other people falling in love is fun. In
romance novels, the heroine is always an equal partner—a smart, strong woman—never
a sidekick. And in a romance novel, a happy ending is guaranteed.
I recently watched a foreign drama series, twenty one episodes
where the hero and heroine fell in love and fought to stay together. Twenty one
hours of my life was invested in this relationship, watching a few episodes
each evening. At the end, they froze to death in a field.
What???
I was ready to throw my iPad out the window. I swear I was
in disbelief for days, griping to anyone who would listen.
The joy of reading romance novels is that when I read the
last page (even if it’s after 3 a.m), I go to bed with a smile on my face.
Interview Questions:
1 - Tell us about a moment in your life when you experienced
sheer joy.
My daily moment of joy is going out
to the patio with my cup of coffee, first thing in the morning. The air is
still cool and fresh, the garden is the most incredible green around me, and I
know every tree and bush, because I planted them. All I hear is the birds in
the trees. I don’t think about work, about what I need to tackle next. I’m just
grateful to be in the world.
2 - Tell us about a place that brings you joy, or is
attached to a memory of joy.
The beach is instant joy. I grew up
inland, and was a teenager by the time I first saw the ocean. But I’m drawn to
it as I’m drawn to nothing else. There is something hypnotizing about the
motion of the waves and the sound they make. Everything I do on the beach feels
like a meditation.
3 - Tell us about a sound that brings you joy (or a memory
attached to sound — music, laughter, wind chimes… ?)
The music of my teen years (let’s
not name the decade) makes me feel young all over again. It’s what I listen to
when I need an energy boost.
4 - What recent book have you read that brought you joy. (Or
a book you read in your life that brought you so much joy you’ve never
forgotten it.) Why?
Susan Mallery’s Fools Gold series.
They are such funny, romantic, heartwarming stories. It’s the ultimate comfort
food of reading.
5 - And for fun, the joy of choice ;o) ~
Pick your Chris! Chris Hemsworth,
Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Chris Rock, Chris Evans or Christopher Plummer (circ.
1964 aka Capt. Von Trapp?) - trying for a little diversity! ;o)
What kind of question is that???
Drawing:
What kind of stories bring you joy?
Respond in the comments, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free Kindle
copy of my Broslin Creek romantic suspense trilogy. (Must be 18 to enter. Void
where prohibited.) GOOD LUCK!!!!
Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Dana Marton has
thrilled and entertained millions of readers around the globe with her
fast-paced stories about strong women and honorable men who fight side
by side for justice and survival.
Kirkus Reviews calls her writing “compelling and honest.” RT Book Review Magazine said, “Marton knows what makes a hero…her characters are sure to become reader favorites.” Her writing has been acclaimed by critics, called, “gripping,” “intense and chilling,” “full of action,” “a thrilling adventure,” and wholeheartedly recommended to readers. Dana is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Readers’ Choice Award, and Best Intrigue, among other awards. Her book, TALL, DARK, AND LETHAL was nominated for the prestigious Rita Award. DEATHSCAPE reached the #1 spot on Amazon’s Romantic Suspense Bestseller list. To find out more about the author, please visit her web site.
